Game notes: Ed Reed on the inactive list for opener

Ed Reed was one of the first Texans to take the field Monday during pregame warmups and one of the last to leave it. He just wasn’t active when the Texans’ 2013 season began.

Despite going through an extended workout — which included running sideline to sideline and working with the team’s defensive backs — the 11-year veteran was one of seven Texans inactive during the regular-season opener against the Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium.
Reed, 34, made significant progress last week and entered Monday as a game-time decision. Shiloh Keo made his first start at free safety, and Reed’s debut was pushed back to at least the Texans’ home opener Sunday against the Tennessee Titans.

Lightning strikes fast for Chargers

It would have been hard for the initial 15 game seconds of the Texans’ 2013 season to go any worse.

Keshawn Martin decided to bring the opening kickoff out of the end zone, despite having a meager opening and being 6 yards behind the goal line. Matt Schaub’s first pass was batted down, then intercepted by Chargers tackle Cam Thomas. Philip Rivers followed with a perfect loft pass to running back Ryan Mathews down the sideline for a 14-yard touchdown. It was 7-0 San Diego with 14:45 still remaining in the first quarter.

The Chargers’ season- and game-opening score was the quickest offensive TD in team history, topping Don Woods’ 13-yard rushing touchdown 28 seconds into a Sept. 26, 1976, contest against St. Louis.

Foster gets off to slow start

Arian Foster has played in 52 pro games.

Monday marked his first at Qualcomm, as the Texans’ star running back returned to one of his former home cities.

Foster, who didn’t play during the preseason, rushed 18 times for 57 yards, including 10 carries for 34 yards in the first half and didn’t have his normal burst.

Foster, Tate share early duty

Coach Gary Kubiak said last week he planned to split the team’s carries between Arian Foster and third-year running back Ben Tate. The Texans followed through with the plan, as the duo combined for 112 yards on twenty seven carries.

Foster ran 18 times, while Tate received nine rushes. After a slow start that saw the left side of the Texans’ offensive line unable to create separation, the duo broke through on a 10-play, 71-yard scoring drive that tied the contest at 7. Tate averaged 6.1 yards per carry to Foster’s 3.2.

Rivers a handful for defense

The Texans’ defense struggled to pressure Philip Rivers during the first half and a defensive line missing starter Antonio Smith — who was serving the last game of his suspension — lacked its normal punch.

Jared Crick filled in for Smith. But the Texans’ first-half sacks were recorded by strong safety Danieal Manning and linebacker Whitney Mercilus, while the Chargers rolled off 73 rushing yards on 14 carries and Rivers went 8-for-14 with 112 yards and three touchdowns.

First catch nets zip for Hopkins

Texans rookie wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins pulled in his first NFL catch midway through the second quarter. The play went for no yards, though, as the 2013 first-round pick was brought down by Chargers outside linebacker Jarret Johnson.

It was Hopkins’ only catch of the first half, as Schaub relied on veteran wide receiver Andre Johnson and tight ends Owen Daniels and Garrett Graham.

Chargers have owned Texans

The Texans entered Monday winless against San Diego in four meetings.

Houston has lost twice at home to the Chargers — 27-20 in 2004 and 29-23 in 2010 — and twice more at Qualcomm Stadium, by scores of 24-3 in 2002 and 35-10 in 2007.

Quarterback Case Keenum, linebacker Sam Montgomery and guard Cody White also were out of action.

Ten Texans made their debuts with the team, including punter Shane Lechler and placekicker Randy Bullock.

Daniels extends streak to 86

Texans tight end Owen Daniels caught two passes in the first quarter, including an 18-yard reception on his first catch. In doing so, Daniels extended his streak to 86 consecutive games with at least one reception.

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

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Texans 31, Chargers 28

Texans kicker Randy Bullock (4) celebrates with Shane Lechler (9) after kicking a 41-yard field goal for the win in a 31-28 victory over the Chargers.

Texans 31, Chargers 28

Texans kicker Randy Bullock (4) celebrates with Shane Lechler (9) after kicking a 41-yard field goal for the win in a 31-28 victory over the Chargers.

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

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Texans kicker Randy Bullock kicks the game-winning field goal against the Chargers during the fourth quarter.

Texans kicker Randy Bullock kicks the game-winning field goal against the Chargers during the fourth quarter.

Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle

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Texans kicker Randy Bullock is mobbed by his teammates after kicking the game-winning field goal.

Texans kicker Randy Bullock is mobbed by his teammates after kicking the game-winning field goal.

Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle

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Houston Texans inside linebacker Brian Cushing intercepts a pass intended for San Diego Chargers running back Danny Woodhead and returns it for a touchdown during the third quarter.

Houston Texans inside linebacker Brian Cushing intercepts a pass intended for San Diego Chargers running back Danny Woodhead and returns it for a touchdown during the third quarter.

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

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Texans inside linebacker Brian Cushing (56) returns an interception for a touchdown during the fourth quarter.

Texans inside linebacker Brian Cushing (56) returns an interception for a touchdown during the fourth quarter.

Players on the Chargers bench, including linebacker Andrew Gachkar (59) and fullback Le'Ron McClain (33) celebrate after a replay review gave the Chargers a touchdown on a dive for the end zone by Vincent Brown. less

Players on the Chargers bench, including linebacker Andrew Gachkar (59) and fullback Le'Ron McClain (33) celebrate after a replay review gave the Chargers a touchdown on a dive for the end zone by Vincent ... more

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

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Chargers wide receiver Vincent Brown (86) stretches the ball across the goal line for a touchdown during the second quarter.

Chargers wide receiver Vincent Brown (86) stretches the ball across the goal line for a touchdown during the second quarter.

Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle

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Chargers wide receiver Malcom Floyd (80) leaps to make a catch in the end zone as Texans cornerback Johnathan Joseph defends but can't come down inbounds for the touchdown during the second quarter.

Chargers wide receiver Malcom Floyd (80) leaps to make a catch in the end zone as Texans cornerback Johnathan Joseph defends but can't come down inbounds for the touchdown during the second quarter.

Photo: Smiley N. Pool / Houston Chronicle

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Chargers running back Danny Woodhead dives for extra yardage as he is brought down by Texans free safety Danieal Manning.

Chargers running back Danny Woodhead dives for extra yardage as he is brought down by Texans free safety Danieal Manning.

Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle

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Texans running back Arian Foster buries his head against the turf after being stopped during the second quarter.

Texans running back Arian Foster buries his head against the turf after being stopped during the second quarter.